I always noticed that I was different; I was academically successful, but I still had trouble focusing and interacting with others, and it took a toll on me. Eventually, after getting a diagnosis, I saw that I had ADHD, and I wasn’t sure if knowing that made my life better because my family didn’t quite acknowledge that much. I was also ashamed of it because I knew that people would react negatively and wouldn’t empathize with it much. After all, they had different opinions. However, I realized that I shouldn’t be ashamed of it. It’s okay to be unique, and I want to share that with neurodiverse people and neurotypical people so I can change their perspectives on mental health. Vivian Tan is a public speaker and entrepreneur that is passionate about helping students in public speaking, and personal & professional development. She is involved in the community, from being the Founder and President of YOUth of BC to being a 3x TEDx speaker. Ever since 2020, she has been invited to over 25 speaking engagements based on her personal brand and skills alone, and spoke at organizations such as Intrepid Museum, Rewriting the Code, and more. She can be found drinking bubble tea, reading books, and cooking in her spare time. In the future, she aspires to go into social entrepreneurship and business, and to be in a position to inspire and motivate others to improve themselves. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at x
